Natural gout relief
What is gout?
Gout has been described by researchers as "One of the worst types of pain that human beings can experience" Also known as gouty-arthritis or uricemia, it is a disease which causes sudden,excruciating attacks of pain, redness, and swelling in one or more joints. It most commonly begins in one of the big toes. The cause is uric acid crystals forming in the affected joints due to unnaturally high levels of uric acid in the body.
Each year millions of American visit their doctors seeking relief from gout, and the numbers are increasing rapidly. About 90% of gout patients are men, and the majority suffer their first gout attack between the ages of 40 and 50. Rates are also increasing among women.
How is gout usually treated?
Drugs such as allopurinol and probenecid are the most commonly prescribed treatments for gout. Unfortunately not all gout sufferers are able to take them, and they have side-effects and risks.
Allopurinol, the most commonly prescribed pharmeceutical for urecemia and gout sufferers, works by decreasing the body's natural production of uric acid. Side-effects include rash, diarrhea, nausea, and drowsiness. Researchers say there is a risk of producing serious and potentially fatal skin problems.
Probenecid increases the rate at which your kidneys remove uric acid from the bloodstream. Unfortunate side effects include, diarrhea, headache, nausea and liver function abnormalities. Taking probenecid can actually increase the number of gout attacks, unlesss you also take anti-inflammation medications along with it. Probenecid should not be used by patients who have kidney stones or who are taking methotrexate.
What are the natural alternatives for relieving gout?
There are a variety of natural substances that can help prevent gout attacks or relieve gout symptoms. These include:
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Cherries: can help to break down uric acid
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Blueberries: have benefits similar to cherries
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Tumeric: Long used both as a spice in food and as a herbal remedy, tumeric is a powerful antioxidant which relieves and reduces inflammation associated with gout pain
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Coffee: Recent research suggests that drinking 4 or more cups of coffee per day (regular or decaffeinated) may reduce uric acid levels
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Yucca: provides active ingredients called saponins which help to reduce arthritis
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Artichoke leaf extract (cynara scolymus): the active ingredient, cynarin, flushes uric acid from the body
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Dairy products: milk and cheese can be helpful in reducing uricemia
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Silymarin: a natural extract which strengthens the liver
Where can I purchase natural gout treatments?
- Fresh cherries can be found in season at most supermarkets. Alternatively, all-natural dried cherries are available at good prices from Amazon.com. (a few dried cherries sprinkled on cereal are delicious)
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Amazon also has good deals on natural dried blueberries. (These are also delicious on cereal, but be careful not to overdo it)
- Coffee, of course, can be bought just about anywhere. If you plan to drink 4 or more cups per day, decaffeinated is advisable.